Here's how Pat Shurmur intends to utilize both Melvin Gordon and Phillip Lindsay

DENVER — There’s been a narrative floating around the Mile High City that Pat Shurmur pounded the table in free agency for the Broncos to sign Melvin Gordon shortly after the 55-year old became Denver’s offensive coordinator.

“I think that’s a false narrative,” Shurmur said bluntly on Thursday, as he spoke to the media for the first time since being hired by the Broncos in January. “The whole pounding-the-table narrative—listen I’m the new guy here, but I will say this, I’m looking forward to adding outstanding players to all the position groups.”

Despite having a Pro Bowl running back coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in Phillip Lindsay—the first undrafted player in the history of the NFL to do so his first two years in the league—the Broncos signed Melvin Gordon to a two-year, $16 million contract in March, making him one of the league’s highest-paid running backs.

The headline-catching move instantly created drama, with Linday himself even admitting he was initially upset with the signing. But the big-time signing wasn’t a slight to Lindsay, according to Shurmur.

“I’m all for adding good players at every position. I feel like Phillip Lindsay’s an outstanding player that we can hand the ball, or throw the ball to,” Shurmur stated. “The fact that we have two running backs now that can be very explosive with the ball in their hands, whether you throw it or run it, I think is a good thing. I really do think you need more than one running back—Royce Freeman obviously did a great job last year as well. So we’re going to try to utilize both, and all three of them, and try to utilize their skills.”

Instead of using the hot-hand approach when dividing the workload between the two Pro Bowl backs, Shurmur said each will “have specific roles” week in and week out.

“I think there are times where they can both be on the field at the same time,” Shurmur said, creating an intriguing formation for the Broncos’ offense. “There are times when one or the other will be on the field.”

Throughout his two-year career, Lindsay has averaged an impressive 4.9 yards per carry. His two 1,000-yard rushing seasons tops Gordon’s single 1,000-yard season, despite Melvin having three more years in the NFL under his belt.

However, Gordon has three seasons in which he topped 1,300 yards from scrimmage—a feat Lindsay has yet to accomplish. In those same seasons (2016-2018), Gordon had over 40 receptions and 400 receiving yards. Lindsay’s career-best out of the backfield was during his rookie season when he had 35 receptions for 241 yards.

Despite Gordon’s ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, coupled with Lindsay’s struggles in that same area last year, neither will have the “receiving back” label attached to them.

“I think they share the same skillset in terms of when you’re a running back,” Shurmur said. “You have to obviously be able to run the ball effectively, which they both can do—whether we’re running the ball inside or outside. You have to be aware enough and physical enough to pass protect—to protect the quarterback. And then when we choose to throw you the ball, whether you’re the primary or you’re the outlet, you need to be able to catch the ball and do something with it. I think of those players that were mentioned—not to mention the other runners we have on the team—they can do all three of those things.”

While Gordon has three inches and 25 pounds on the younger Lindsay, both have every skillset Shurmur is looking for from his backs.

“What separates a running back, both those players have it—Phillip and well as Melvin, Royce and really all the backs—is you have to have some collision balance,” Shurmur continued. “You’re ability to break a tackle, bounce and create what is normally a good gain into what is an explosive gain. They share those traits. They’ve both been very productive in this league. And we intend to use both of them.”

While the money wouldn’t necessarily suggest it, Shurmur insisted the Broncos aren’t trying to run Phillip Lindsay out of his job. Instead, they’ll be running him alongside Melvin Gordon.